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Sunday 15th May 2011

After returning home, from the Packard jaunt south with Noel today, found that Gina had send another pic. This time from Howlong. Besides the frost, looks like Wade has a big job on his hands cleaning up Big Red after being on the road for the best part of a month.

But more about todays jaunt in the Shows and Events Forum when I get the pic's captioned. I'll create a thread and post a link to my Picasa album there.

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Tuesday 17th May 2011

He's baaaaack! Had a call from Wade last night to advise he'd be at the workshop today. Arriving there with Big Red covered in road grime, after being away for over 3 weeks, a good wash was certainly in order. Before doing that, first it was around to Tyre and Wheel Co for a replacement tube for Big Red. Half an hour after starting out on the trip Big Red had a right rear flat and Wade changed to the spare. When I say Wade changed to the spare, he eventually did, but required some assistance in doing so. The flat happened on a 110kmh section of motorway, and fortunately Wade was able to pull into a breakdown bay. So far, so good. But the jack Wade had taken, just wasn't up to the job. So onto the emergency bay phone and about half an hour later a motorway breakdown truck arrived. They also didn't have a decent jack but by using both jacks Big Red could be elevated enough to effect the change. Turns out the tyre had started to separate internally and with the flexing of the case the loose flap of rubber abraded the tube causing the flat. What Wade wanted to accomplish today was to use an old tyre and a new tube just to carry as a spare for a few days. Left the flat tyre and rim and old used tyre with Tyre and Wheel, going back later to pick up a rolling spare. Then on Thursday David, from Antique Tyre Supplies, is delivering 2 new WWW's, one as a warranty replacement for the one with the split case, the other to replace the old spare. What will happen then is that the 2 new tyres will be mounted, balanced and go on the front, the 2 best remaining tyres will go on the rear and the remaining tyre will then be used as the spare. I imagine there'll also be a bigger, better jack thrown into the boot as well!

Back at the workshop it was Big Red cleaning time. Armed with bucket, sponge, cloth and hose we cleaned off the accumulation of dirt, grime and insects. Then followed a session of chamoising resulting in a much shiner Big Red than earlier in the day. But, before starting washing, Wade warned me about another problem that had developed on the trip, the front of the roof insert had developed a leak. Previously the rear of the insert had leaked but this had been sealed before departure. The trip travel and body flexing combined with the 70+ years top resulting in another "minor" matter to fix. It'll be resealed in the next few days in the same manner as the rear was so it's ready for the Rally next month to Stawell 600+ miles south west from Sydney. Wade's really running up the miles, clocking up 2,480 miles for the recently completed Packard Tour of Tasmania 2011 at 14.9 mpg(Imperial gallons) soon to be followed by well over 1,200 miles more. You could never accuse Wade of leaving his Packard in the garage.

Then into Big Red again, this time with John joining us. A local automotive business, Ryde Steering, is closing down and selling off their equipment. Including the hoists, one of which is a four post hoist with a 4,000kg lift capacity, sufficient for Packard work. And if the price is right, Wade could soon be the proud owner of a hoist in Packard corner. Then there won't be any concerns about time on Rick or John's hoists even though they have just doubled in number! Finally back to Wheel and Tyre Co but, because they didn't have the right tube, there wasn't a spare to pick up. Instead brought the offending tyre with the loose flap of rubber back to the workshop for warranty changeover in a couple of days.

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Thursday 19th May 2011

Noel picked up PackardInfo member PhilfromTassie from the airport and brought him to "Casa Ozstatman" from where we then made the 40 mile trip north, in the Coupe, to Vintage Motor Garage at Central Mangrove. Phil flew up from Tasmania to see the progress made on his '26 Sedan Limo at VMG and discuss various matters with Jonathan concerning it's restoration.

Link to Picasa Album of pic's taken - VMG pic's

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Friday 20th May 2011

Had the day planned for Philfrom Tassie whereby we would visit a PACA member with 6 Packards but, like many good plans, it just didn't work out. Instead, I picked up Phil from the Bankstown table tennis warehouse where Noel stores some of his stuff. Noel still has a pallet of Club Stock parts there because of a mishap when the pallets were sent down to Peter Packard who received a pallet of Noel's '41 parts instead of the pallet still at the warehouse! Believe this situation will be rectified in the near future when Noel takes this pallet down to Peter. But, because the pallet was there, it gave us a chance to look through the parts. Phil didn't find any '26 parts. Noel found a couple of rear quarter windows from which he may be able to use a handle for his '41 160 Coupe. And I found a pair of '40 110 front quarter window frames, which are much better than the ones in the Coupe. Now all I have to do is determine if they fit!

After leaving Noel, proceeded to the workshop where we met Rex, Wade's brother, who is over from New Zealand for a short holiday. Was also able to provide Misty, John's dog, with a doggie bag from the dinner we had last night at a Korean B-B-Q restaurant. Must have been appreciated because, a little later, there wasn't a skerrick left. Shortly after Phil and I arrived so did Tony, Noel's mate, with Peter Packards re-woodgrained '37 Super 8 dashboard. It looks fabulous, Peter!

On our arrival, Big Red's front was up in the air with the front wheels removed. The two new Coker WWW's were around at Tyre and Wheel Co getting mounted on the rims with new tubes and balanced. And Wade tells me there was another flat tyre episode on Wednesday morning. This time the vulcanised brass valve fitting in the valve stem had de-vulcanised. Some super glue and air later and Wade was able to get Big Red to the workship. So besides the two new tyres on the front, the two rear tyres were treated to new tubes while the spare had had a new tube fitted only recently.

But lunchtime was fast approaching and so most, but not all, adjourned to the Eastwood Rugby Club. Rick wasn't able to go because of a couple of late customers who demanded his attention. Rick wasn't pleased, although he didn't really miss much, just good food, good wine and good company! Wade's daughter Lorna also came along so, from Wade's perspective, it was a family affair. Of the eight people at lunch seven had Filet Mignon, cooked to perfection, while Phil had Atlantic Salmon, he has to support the Tasmanian fish farming industry doesn't he?

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Thanks Mal, I have just seen the 37 Super dashboard and am extremely impressed with Tony's work. I am running out of excuses to get the 37 Super back on the road. Best Regards Peter Toet

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Peter,

Looking forward to seeing your '37 Super 8 Coupe on the road.

In fact, when I do, you might indulge me with a ride in the rumbleseat!

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The picture says it all!

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Monday 23rd May 2011

Not at the workshop today, or for the rest of this week for that matter.

In the box of parts received from MM's, just after Wade headed for Tasmania last month, were 2 rear window seals, one for Big Red and one for Harvey. Harvey's was delivered to him yesterday at our PACA run to the Appin Bi-Centennial Festival. Today, I believe Wade, with assistance from brother Rex, is removing the rear window from Big Red to have new glass cut. Wade says he's tired of having to cover the luggage in the boot(trunk) with plastic to keep it dry!

Instead of the workshop, my Packard fix for the day consisted of receiving the Aussie eBay purchases, of some Packard books I had made recently, what else? The book of Service Letters for 14th - 20th series mentioned in post #13 of this thread was bought at the starting bid of AU$12!!!! I also managed to obtain an autographed copy of Robert Neal's Packards at Speed, also at the starting bid, but at AU$66 a little more expensive. Another who also benefited was Snapey and, so we didn't cut each others throats. advised each other which items we were interested in and bidding on. Besides the five Packard specific books I also won another 5 books mostly with an Australian motoring flavour, I'm very happy with the books I won as I'm sure Matt is with the over 10kg(22lbs) of books he won. He did mention he's blaming me for the hole it's made in his wallet though.

And a thought for DavidM, who with Veronique, is leaving tomorrow on a European holiday. During their trip they are participating in the 8th Euro Packard Meet, June 2-5, Normandy, France. Although not taking a Packard, David did look into the logistics and costs of doing so but decided against it. Have a great holiday!

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Mal, Thanks for that, I am sure we will have a great time with the Packard Club of France rally, even though we will be in a tiny French rental car. A cardboard Packard grille might be the go! No? I didn't think so.
David

Tuesday 24th May 2011

Quote:Seems like I told a lie because I did drop into the workshop this morning! Cleared the Post Office box, which is nearby, for the Packard Club and took the opportunity to give the shop dog, Misty, a bone. Also took the chance to take some pic's of Big Red sans rear window.

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